Research Reports - Effect of social support and coping styles on the stress and mental health in relatives of patients with traumatic brain injury

Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2015 Mar;40(3):303-10

Mao P(1), Luo A, Yang J, Ding S, Jiang J, Ye W

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of social support and coping style on the
stress and mental health in relatives of patients with traumatic brain injury.
METHODS: The stress, mental health, social support and coping style were
investigated in 300 relatives of patients with traumatic brain injury by Relative
Stress Scale, Symptom Checklist-90, Social Support Rating Scale and Simplifi ed
Coping Style Questionnaire in Changsha City.
RESULTS: Th e mental health problems in relatives of patients with traumatic
brain injury were closely related to the levels of stress, the ways of coping and
the social support. In addition to the direct eff ect of stress on mental health
in relatives of patients, the ways of coping and social support functioned as a
mediator in this regard. Th e value of mesomeric eff ect for coping styles and
social support ranged from 23.6% to 43.0%, and social support had an advantage
over the coping styles.
CONCLUSION: Social support and coping styles should be considered in
psychological nursing program to prevent and adjust the mental distress in
relatives of patients with traumatic brain injury, which is benefi cial to the
treatment and recovery for patients.